Experimental fuel treatment impacts on forest structure, potential fire behavior, and predicted tree mortality in a California mixed conifer forest

Published source details Stephens S.L. & Moghaddas J.J. (2005) Experimental fuel treatment impacts on forest structure, potential fire behavior, and predicted tree mortality in a California mixed conifer forest. Forest Ecology and Management, 215, 21-36.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Thin trees within forests: effects on mature trees Action Link
	Use prescribed fire: effects on mature trees Action Link

Thin trees within forests: effects on mature trees

A replicated, controlled study in 2000-2005 in temperate coniferous forest in California, USA (Stephens & Moghaddas 2005) found that thinning decreased tree density, basal area and canopy cover and increased tree height. For all trees >2.5 cm DBH density (thinned: 429/ha; control: 1,109/ha), basal area (thinned: 41 m²/ha; unthinned: 56 m²/ha) and canopy cover (thinned: 58%; unthinned: 75%) were lower in thinned plots, while height was higher in thinned plots (thinned: 23 m; unthinned: 16 m). Data were collected in 2005 in 25 plots (0.04 ha) in each of three thinned (to retain 28-34 m²/ha basal area in 2001, large trees removed and small trees shredded) and three unthinned treatment units (14-29 ha).
Use prescribed fire: effects on mature trees

A replicated, controlled study in 2000-2005 in temperate coniferous forest in California, USA (Stephens & Moghaddas 2005) found that prescribed fire decreased tree density, but not basal area, height and canopy cover. The density for all trees >2.5 cm diameter at breast height was lower in burned (441 trees/ha) than unburned plots (1,109/ha), while basal area (burned: 48; unburned: 56 m²/ha), height (burned: 18; unburned: 16 m) and canopy cover (burned: 65; unburned: 75%) were similar between treatments. Data were collected in 2005 in 25 plots (0.04 ha) in each of three burned (prescribed fire in October-November 2002) and three unburned control treatment unit (14-29 ha).